WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police say two Waterloo officers helped five children under age 12 escape from a house fire. KWWL-TV reports the officers were the first to arrive at the house fire in Waterloo yesterday morning. Officers Shawn Bram and Dustin Lindaman found smoke billowing from the second floor and were told by a woman that five children between the age of 4 and 11 were inside. They found two children and made sure that all five got out safely.

ROCKFORD, Iowa (AP) — Residents of the northern Iowa city of Rockford will need to take a detour to cross town because of a bridge replacement. The bridge over the Shell Rock River will be closed Monday so workers can replace the aging span. A new bridge will be completed in five or six months.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Some parents and students have been sounding sour notes since a Cedar Rapids high school principal barred the show choir from traveling to Chicago for a national competition. Jefferson High School principal Charles McDonnell notified teacher Kent Keating and associate choir director Brett Epperson in a letter that the West Side Delegation choir wouldn’t be attending the April 26th through 27th FAME National Show Choir Finals. Wednesday’s letter cited academic concerns and financial demands.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Cornell senior Kyle Dake has been awarded the Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top wrestler. Dake became just the third wrestler to win four NCAA titles at the national meet in Des Moines last weekend when he took the 165-pound title.